Another reason we want to leave

I certainly hope the real estate market improves soon.  We really do not want to go through another winter like this.

We just had a BLIZZARD here in the northeast US.  The Fifth largest storm in New York City history!

What did we really want for Christmas?  Boquete Panama!!!!!!!

Things to think about

There is one thing we all need to understand when becoming an Expat.  The family you leave behind still has ills and problems and you have to be ready to deal with these issues, or not deal with them at all.

The question you have to ask yourself  is, can you deal with this?.  We experienced this a few years ago and very recently, yet we still look forward to our life away from all things close and comfortable.  If you never go outside of your comfort zone, you will never know what you may experience in life

You can live life as there is no end.  You can live life as if it will end tomorrow.  You can live life in a daze.  We like them all!  It gives one the chance to really have fun and contribute to the world the artistic talent we all have buried deep inside us!!!

"Our advice, AAO".  Adapt, Adjust and Overcome!!!! Shit happens no matter where you are   Live life, live your dreams and just have fun! 

The alternative is boring!

Happy December

Etta and Pats' adventure! everyday a new one!

Panama's Independence Day

We awoke at 1am this morning to the sounds of music wafting up the canyon.  This along with the dog's barking and the mis-timed roosters crow, rang in the begining of the holiday celebration!

There are few holidays where sound, fun and patriotic fervor like this exist.

This is a great time to be in Boquete!

Back in Country

It has been a wonderful few days since we have returned to Boquete!  The people, the sights and the smells are just as great as the last time we were here.

Just to tease you, here are few pics from the Casita where we are staying.  It really is a great place to base yourself while searching for that future home.

Bananas in the the back yard!

Not sure what it is, but it is beautiful!

Can we say fresh Avacados in the back yard?



No need to pick, they are at your feet!!!!

This weekend is the celebration of Panama's Independence from Spain.  We are looking forward to a lot of great parades and festivities!

Updates coming soon!

The next trip starts

Well, it has been awhile since we updated.  We have been busy trying to get the house back on the market and back we are.  let's see what happens this time.

We are starting our next trip back down to Panama today.  At the airport, flight are supposed to be on time.  Should be back in country around 930 pm.

It is a long day, but we love what we get at the end of it.

We will be back to updating regularly soon.

US real estate market

The latest update on our quest to move to Panama.

We listed the house and guess what, we had no offers!  So a good lesson learned, you really need to set realistic expectations on how and when you relocate.

The next listing will be different and hopefully our agent will be much more aggressive.

So the lesson for today from our experience:
Be patient
Be optimistic
Be persistent

It will all work out!

Next update after we re-list the house.

PS: flying back to our new home country in 39 days!  Can't Wait to get there!

Be careful out there!

A note to everyone that thieves and just odd people lurk on the Internet.

To help sell our house, we put a link on Expats blog.  We can tell you the kind of responses we have received are amazing and then some.

Please be careful!

You can run but you can't hide!

Some people think Panama is a place to hide from their past, to create a new identity and continue their criminal ways.

Let this be a warning to all, there have been two arrests in Boquete in the last 2 months.  Both convicted in the US and then fled. The long arm of the law knows no boundaries.

Here is a link to the latest person of interest that was extradited back to the US.

http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=39704

Recent Health Care Experiences, reposted with permission

This was posted by Lee Zeltzer, blogger and owner of Boqueteguide.com.  It tells a great story from someone who lives and breathes Boquete.  The story of being able to receive compassionate, quality health care and have it affordable at the same time, reverberates through the inane discourse in the US that was the health care debate.  Read on and enjoy!

Recent Health Care Experiences

Posted by Lee on August 9, 2010

Those who have known me in Panama also probably remember I have had more experience than most people with health care in Panama.

I have had flocks of guests in the past couple of months. In that time two arrived with health issues and required medical attention. I want to share the experiences they had while withholding their names.

One arrived with a problem with his pelvis, a chronic problem of the femur popping out of the socket during exercise. Mayra’s daughter, a doctor, referred him to Dr. Evcilio Barria at Hospital Chiriqui. First bit of amazing, we had the appointment the day after we called. The doctor listened and requested an X-ray at hospital Chiriqui. We walked across the street, and in less then 30 minutes at a cost of $38 we had a pelvic X-ray and we were back in for second consultation. Based on the X-Ray the doctor scheduled a pelvic MRI. The professional fee for the visit was $20. I am not sure what a specialist in orthopedics would charge for an office visit in the US, but I think the $20 might be a copay for good insurance and I suspect we will would still be waiting for the appointment.
I was curious about the cost of the MRI, I suspected the procedure could be expensive. I did some digging on a site called New Choice Health which has prices from around the US. First I looked up the $38 pelvic xray. On this site the range for this in the US was from $210 to $1,600.

On Thursday we went to Hospital Chiriqui for a Pelvic MRI, both with and without contrast dye. The cost was several hours and $600. I used the same site for the US prices in Miami, FL the range was $2,325 to $7000.

Even more interesting was at about 8:30 in the evening, as I was sitting in the waiting room, the doctor came in and sat with me to just chat. He asked about me, asked about his patient, and then went back to see the results with my guest.

My other guest arrived tired, dehydrated and with red urine. Next day I called for a Urologist, Dr. Khayam Arias at Hospital Chiriqui was recommended, and we were in his office the same day. He wanted a urine sample and had it tested, $3. His diagnosis cost $30 in professional fees and resolved with $41 in antibiotics and the passing of some small kidney gravel.

My reason for airing medical history should be clear by now. I am not sure how this would have played out in Canada or Europe or anyplace else, except here and in the US. In the US we would still be waiting for appointments for specialists, then we would be waiting for test results, all the while paying far more in medical and lab fees.

If you can afford private health care in Panama, it is first class at coach prices

We are very worried about our freinds sailing through the French Pacific

Ron and Kathy are two of the nicest people you will encounter in life.  This is the last update from their blog.  We hope everyone is OK, our thoughts and prayers are with them and hope it is only a comms problem!


Their Blog starts;
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS


Atuona, Isle Hiva Oa, Polynesie Française, Friday, 04 June 2010



Even cruising life can encompass both good new and bad news. The bad news has been the TIAs while at sea some 400 Nm and quite a few days still from land, the emergency air trip after arrival here after 37 days at sea to the big hospital in Papeete on Tahiti, and the ten-day stay there, part of it flat on my back. All of that could have been a catastrophe.



The good news, however, is that we made it without me experiencing a major brain-stroke at sea, that TIAs are well-known to neurologists, that the situation was dealt with in time, that the French and Tahitian medical staff were knowledgeable and competent and that I am back on the boat with Kathleen and well on the way to recovery. For a week after returning here I was still getting ‘spells’ (sudden double-vision, paralysis in legs, arms and my tongue; tingling in left extremities; and loss of my sense of balance; etc.), but provided the dosage of the anti-coagulants is correct (they are still trying by trial and error to find what the right amount should be), I am all-in-all getting along quite well, thank you. I am still not able to undertake long cruises, heavy lifting or other physical work. The French doctor told me to avoid banging my head hard or climbing trees. Sic! I am sticking to this, but I do manage to do a little boat work in the mornings and take it easy in the afternoon. My road to recovery is at least due as much to Kathleen’s ministrations. In time I shall be eating a well-buffered daily time-release aspirin and leading a quite normal life, say the neurologists

This can be one of the issues that can arise when traveling or living abroad.  Best wishes to Ron and Kathy!

It's about time

There comes a point in everyones' life when you ask the question, why, what, where and when?.

This July, the house went on the market.  We will see what happens over the next few weeks, months or years.

As we prepare to leave, if anyone is interested in buying property in Connecticut, here is the link. We will not need it anymore!  If it sells quickly, we are planning on moving to an apartment until we are ready to make the next move to Panama.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3-Leonard-Street_W-Haven_CT_06516_1120239412

We started this blog so you could experience the transition to retirement.  This is our next step. Still enjoying the ride, big time!!!!

Change can be sad

We recently learned that one of our favorite places in Boquete, Amigo's, has lost their lease.  Amigo's was a fantastic gathering place that fostered friendships around the world.  We hope that Jennifer and Mark will be able to reopen in a new location soon. 

On our first trip to Boquete, we stumbled upon Amigo's purely by accident!  It was the best accident that ever happened.  It became our home base before jaunting off to explore the area, it was our classroom on how to retire in Panama and it was a place where great friends were made and lasting relationships formed.

We hope the staff, who were the best in the business, will find employment soon.  Enrico, Mary and Maria, we miss you and look forward to seeing at the new Amigo's where ever that may be!

Climate change is real

I never thought we would see this.  8:30 pm Monday June 21st.  West Haven CT temperature 85, Panama City Panama temperature 83!  Boquete, as usual is perfect at 63!!!!!

Now we have another reason to move to Panama.

Enjoy the summer

Update Jun 25 2010: It is confirmed we had a tornado come through the area on the 24th. The good news no one hurt, the bad news, we had a TORNADO!


To use Southwest Airlines tag line: Wanna get out of here????

Yes!

We have begun International Banking 101

For the last few weeks we have been looking into the best way to set up an international banking presence.  It is quite an interesting quest, with all the new US and Panamanian laws.

One very important thing to remember is that when living overseas, US banks can close your accounts if you are not careful.  This is due in part to the Patriot Act and other wonderful laws.  We have found it is best to work with a bank that has a presence in both places and also facilitates opening new accounts in the country of your choice..

Now this is not a commercial, however HSBC Premier seems to fit the bill.  We will have a concierge banking rep here in the states and in Panama.  They will work to have the account opened before our next trip down and this way, we will have access to local ATM, bank branch and other banking services while we are in Panama.

We will be starting the process soon and will update everyone on how things go.

Wish us luck!

Another back to the future moment from page 477 of Pan Am’s Blue Book of Travel

Sports:

The fishing is marvelous, both in the sea and in the trout streams in the mountains. The best trout streams can be found in Chiriqui, in the western part of the Panama. The interior is a hunter’s wonderland. The mountain jungles abound with big game and wild fowl. Jaguar, puma, tigrillo and ocelot, mule deer, tapir and wild hog are among the principal animals.

Our update:

Well. Panama is still a sportsman’s paradise! That said, in our travels we have found that the best places to hunt for food are the 99 and Rey’s in Panama City and David and Ramero’s in Boquete. There are also numerous mini-supers throughout the country. There are also many local farmers selling their fruit, vegetables, seafood and eggs. They are easy find and you will not be disappointed

Our recommendation:

If you want a succulent roasted chicken, try El Alto Resturante y Rotiseria, on the David to Boquete Road, not far from the Super Lilly mini super. Great chicken, great people and also a great bathroom stop on the way up the mountain.  PS: $0.75 for a nice cold Balboa!

The latest update from the 1970 Pan Am Blue Book of Travel on Panama

The Chiriqui Highlands:

Chiriqui Province bordering on the republic of Costa Rica, is the coffee and sugar district of Panama. There is good hunting for wild game. Trout fishing in the streams of 11,000 foot El Vulcan is the very best. Guides and accommodation are inexpensive. Go by air, stay at the Nacional, Dos Rios or the Hotel Panamonte.

Etta and Pats’ update on the area:

The Hotel Panamonte is still there after 40 years and has a wonderful restaurant. On our last trip in March, we had the great pleasure of having a wonderful meal with our friends and hosts, Cora and David. The Panamonte is still as stately and grand as it was 40 years ago.

The trout is to die for and like everything else in Panama, the Panamonte is re-inventing itself for today’s world.

Oh how times have changed!

The following excerpt is from the book, Pan Am’s New Blue Book Of Clipper Travel. At one time, this was the epitome of travel information. The excerpts for this blog are from a 1970 edition of this wonderful travel book.


Acknowledgement:

Everything in this latest update is taken from the guide published in 1970, the 17th revised edition.

Paraphrasing a bit:

If you get the urge to go somewhere, and you really need an excuse, bear in mind that doctors all agree:

Vacations are a very necessary part of modern life

You owe it to your job, your health and your home life to take a vacation. There is no vacation like a trip and no trip like a” trip abroad”.

We have taken this further; there is no life, like a life abroad.

It is an amazing look back at a time when travel was glamorous, exciting and just plain fun. We will continue to publish an old look at the new Panama over the next few weeks.

We hope you enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who has visited

We started this blog and our web site in an effort to help people learn what it takes to make an international move.  Our choice is Panama and from the stats, apparently there is a lot of interest in what we are doing.

Currently we are averaging about 150 visits per month to the blog.  A big thank you to everyone who has visited and returned over time.

We are looking to form a relationship with International Living in an effort to give you more information during our period of getting to where we want to be.

Remember, it is your choice where you want to live.

Watch this space, there will be much more to come.

Thanks again,

Etta and Pat

Travel Interruptus

As you go through life and the planning to enjoy it even more, you never know when unforeseen obstacles appear.

What would you do if you were ready to travel to your Eden, only to find out that the country was closed!

Now, this has not happened in Panama, but it has to millions of people traveling through Europe. There is a great lesson and parable in this story. If you were traveling and for whatever reason, were stranded, ask yourself these questions.

1) Are you happy and comfortable no matter where you are?

2) Do you care more about your safety than when you get back?

3) Did you take the extra time to explore and learn about where you were?

4) Did you kiss and hug your mate (if you have one) and smile?

If you answered yes to these questions, you are ready to live anywhere in the world! You are not tied to a place, you are tied to your life. The passion, fun and enjoyment just from being with the ones you love is the most treasured element of your life.

Millions of people were delayed in their travel plans this week. You will see a great difference in the response to the problem. Some will be so upset that schedules have been disrupted, meetings missed and potential opportunities lost. On the other hand, others will simply look at opportunities found, smile at the antics of the others, relax, enjoy and impishly revel in the fact that if they get to their destination in a day, week or month, they will still be happy.

Remember:  There is no such thing as a problem, just an opportunity to excel.  (to the best of my recollection, Mr. G 1979)

The next step

Ok, we just got back from Boquete on March 9th. That said, we have already booked our next trip down to our future home.


The next visit will find us spending the majority of our time up in Alto Boquete with just a day or two in Panama City. A visit with Maria at Frite-Arte will be enjoyed and a must.

It will be interesting to be in Panama over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Once, many years ago we spent that holiday in Caracas, Venezuela and learned more about the struggle in the US than any history class could have taught.

With this in mind, we are still amazed at the generosity and kindness that everyone has displayed to two gringos. Think about it, for almost 100 years, the US held a substantial part of Panama, Fourth of July Blvd, was for all intents a Berlin Wall, which separated the Panamanian people from the American people.

What a wonderful experience since 1999 when the canal was officially transferred to Panama.   Before that, the canal only gave a stipend to the people of Panama.  Finally the income from the Canal is going to country to help raise everyone to a new and higher standard of living..

Thank you to everyone who made this happen, special thanks to President Carter

The rules, they are always changing

The one thing everyone needs to understand about moving to Panama, is that things change.

Over the past few months visa requirements have changed and you need to be aware.

More to come as we get the inside info from our friends going through the process.

Watch this space!

Just another day on the beach

What do you see in this picture?

A beautiful waterscape?
A runway?
A bridge?
A launch pad?







To us, this picture encompasses everything.  You can envision the wave that will sweep you away, taking you to a place where new friends and new possibilities abound.

This picture is looking south over Long Island Sound.  The ships that were waiting in the fog earlier are gone, the fog horns have stopped for the day and the sailors are avidly awaiting entering their port of call.

Is this not what we all look for?

How we spent our Easter Weekend

Well, let me tell you there is a hidden and onerous piece of work that happens when you plan to leave the country. 

Projects that should have been done years ago become very important now.  Also, do you really know just how much stuff you have???

We have been working the last three days just cleaning up the garage!  I cannot imagine what the rest of the house will hold.  We have found tools, gadgets and just plain crap that have been stored for that perfect moment when it will be needed in the future.

Oh well, the future has come and it is now just another piece of trash or, if we are lucky, a sale for a few dollars.

It is a very refreshing feeling; do you really need all that stuff?  The great answer is no.  As I am typing Etta is telling me how much a minimalist she is.  She is right, I am the pack rat!   That said, you never know when  that 3/8" reverse drive, left handed wrench will come in handy!

We miss Boquete and the friends we have made

You really have to understand the culture that you live in

Just received an email from a good friend in Boquete.  Strange how things change when you relocate to a different country.  A small but important issue can arise during religious holidays in Panama!!!

A snippet of the email below, what would you do?

No liquor was sold from noon today (Thursday) until noon Saturday. The police were actually standing at the bar at Amigos and made the girls take our glasses at noon.

The moral of this story; Adapt, Adust and Overcome.  Or just plan ahead, a crisis could happen at any time.

PS: noon is late in Panama!!!!!!

A view driving down the mountain

Have fun, we did.

We sent this to our mother to let her know we were safe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy88JJus-JU

The politics are over

Now for a more serene scene:

Now isn't this better?

We are now planning our next trip down to Panama.  This time a road trip up the old Panamerican Highway from the City up to David and Boquete.  We thought about the midnight bus arriving at David at 6am, but that would have made a 24 hour day. 

The current plan is to overnight at the Riande and head out in the morning.  We are really looking forward to the trip, exploring and visiting along the way.

Just a short time in Panama City, however we will still make it a point to see Maria at Frit Arte.

This trip we are thinking of getting a long term stamped visa.  That way we do not have to worry if we travel to other countries from Panama.

We are also starting the process figuring out what we need for a residency visa down the road.  I am sure this blog will be filled with info and experiences soon.

Politics and more Politics. Hello folks, this is realtity

A political vent and one of the reasons we are looking outside the USA to retire. We are a few hours away from the greatest debate in the US Congress since civil rights. It is an ironic statement that the country that beacons freedom had to actually pass a Civil Rights Bill. Now we are debating another civil right, no, a human right, healthcare.


Both sides are entrenched in their positions and the hyperbole is amazing. We have heard statements that have gone beyond the absurd and when spoken, drive one to wonder how moronic!

As we look at the world, and we do mean the world, it is embarrassing that in the US this debate is even happening.

Our hope is that the rhetoric ceases, the accusations cease and that mature level headed politicians rise to the maturity level expected and meet the challenges facing the American people even if it means a risk to their own political careers.

As we travel through this wonderful globe, we will be watching how well the “world’s guardian” handles taking care of its weakest and most helpless.

It will be a telling answer.

March in Connecticut is interesting

After being back in Connecticut for less than a few days, we were hit with what only could be classified as a winter hurricane.

3-5 inches of rain, 75 mph wind gusts, trees down, power lines down, fences ripped apart.

This is what could be called the green season here, a bit more severe, but wet all the less.

The house shuddered when the wind gusted, the water seeped in the ocean facing windows and every small hole in the house!

The next trip to Panama will be a welcome respite from the "Climate Change" weather we are seeing in the northeast US.  Never before have we seen this much wind, rain and snow during a season.

Unfortunately, we had a few deaths due to trees hitting cars, power lines and houses.  If the forecast holds, we should be out of this by Tuesday.  The rest of the week is assessing damage and repairing what we can..

Boy we miss the cool breezes and warm days of Bouqete.  We even enjoy the Bajareque mist.  it makes the skin feel so good!!!!!!

Boquete Casita

We wanted to share a few pictures of the Casita where we stayed while in Boquete.  Cora and David are the greatest hosts, the one bedroom Casita is spacious, airy and fully equiped with everything you need for the stay.  This is one place you really want to stay at.

This is the entrance to our Casita

The front yard

Kitchen and living room.  Please forgive the picture of Pat, it was a long day!

A very comy bed with 600 count sheets

Breakfast on the veranda, surrounded by Banana and Avacado trees

Another view from the veranda.  Laundry facilities just behind the wall.












Have to tell everyone this is one of the greatest places to stay while you are in Boquete.

Contact David and Cora to see if you can enjoy as much as we did.

You can use VRBO.com to rent or even better, Cora and David's own site at http://www.fineboqueterentals.com/

It is amazing how fast time went by in Boquete

Well, we are back in the states and still going through the pictures and stories from our last trip to Panama.


We really thought we would be blogging every day; however we were having too much fun meeting people, seeing things and absorbing information on how to make " It All Happen".

Over the next few days we will be posting wonderful pictures and video of our stay.

As we said in our last post, the people we met were fantastic. If you ever want to go to a new a foreign place, be there 5 minutes and feel like you have been living there for years, this is it.

We had the distinct pleasure to meet Mike, Joyce and the Judy's. Mike and Joyce invited us down to their place for a wonderful afternoon with shrimp and Johnsonville Brats on the Barbie. Joyce's shrimp spread is too die for. A better spread we have never tasted before.

Now for the secret, Etta was leaving key items in Boquete, I am sure in the effort not to leave. First a cooler and sun glasses and then her purse! Good thing we remembered how to get to Joyce and Mike's on our way to the airport. It is about the only thing we remember!!!!

For those that stay in hotels with all that "wonderful" service, a question, when you left your hotel room, did you chat, laugh and hug hosts? Thank you Cora and David, we will be back.

Good times were had by all, with fond memories forever...

We are already planning the next trip down and continue to plot our future plans.

Wonderful people in a wondeful town

Date line March 5th.

We have spent the last few days meeting more friends that we ever thought we would.  Everyone that we have met has been more than helpful in providing great information, contacts and advice on how to move forward.

There really is a community here in Boquete that offers support, friendship and is just plain fun to be a part of.

We are quickly approaching the day when we must leave for the US and it has come far too soon.

Etta and I have made more friends, true friends, in the short time we have been here than we have in many years in connecticut.

It is Sushi night tonight at Cora and David's.  Another good night with some great people.

We only have till Monday here in Boquete, it is not enought time.  We are already planning the next trip back and also the great escape down the road.

More blogging yet to come over the weekend.

Pic's of the Sushi Class and more.

Till tomorrow....

The World is Doomed

If things aren't bad enough..  McDonalds delivers in Panama.  It must be a secret plan crafted by someone, somewhere to try and ruin the health of everyone worldwide !!!!!

A little late but now we have good internet access

After fighting the snowstorm in New York on Friday, trudging our way to LGA to see if we might still have a flight that would leave, gallantly we stood our ground and hoped for the best! Through some miracle,our flight out of NY was only one of three to go to Atlanta for our connection. Delayed 2 hours, we had the pleasure of doing the Hartsfield Atlanta Shuffle! 3 terminals from landing to departure, 25 minutes to get to our departure gate! whew, made it just as the flight was boarding .......... Oh the saga of trains, planes and automobiles!

After landing in Panama City on Friday night, the vacation soon began. Our dear friend and faithful driver Emilio was at the airport to meet us with a warm handshake, hug and a case of Balboa beer, chilled, that is.

Thus starts our new expedition into the old world.

On Saturday, we had the wonderful joy of meeting with more friends in the Casco Viejo section of Panama City.

We still maintain that the best restaurant in the area is Maria's "Frit-Arte"

We were greeted with warm hugs and kisses and Fabulous food, a new menu by the way! Somehow a Thai chef wondered through the door and Maria hired him ..... Good decision, the food is even better and more varied than before.

A great reunion.

Etta, Blaine, Pat and Maria

Countdown to Panama

Oh well, the weather has been good in Connecticut, however evil winds are brewing!  Another snow/sleet/rain storm is due for mid week.  Our only hope right now is that it all clears out by Friday.  After that, really don't care.

Looking so forward to reconnecting with our friend Maria in Casco Viejo and Emilio, who is the best resource for everything Panama.

Stay tuned, the blog gets active while we are in country!!!!!!!

An interesting juxtaposition

Here we are planning our future outside of the US, while enjoying the ceremony of our dear friend becoming an American Citizen.  Whats' up with that????

Where Would You Rather Be?

Where would you really rather be?

Now look at these two pictures....

One from Panama enjoying wondeful weather..

and one from Connecticut dealing with another snow storm !!!!
We will leave it to you to decide.


We have 16 days to a trip to help us make that decision....

We now have one of the webs' greatest hotel search engines

Check it out at www.WnyNotRelo.com/travel

Another cold and snowy day in Connecticut

Days like this really drive home the reason why we are looking south.

Good weather, okay, a bit of rain, but great temps and great bang for your buck!

Property, groceries and even better, a few beers are available for a great price in Panama.

PS: this is the country of Panama, not Panama City, Florida !!!!!!

Next update in a week or so. Lots going on.